BC Chamber News Release - Trans Mountain Pipeline: 8/31/2018

BC Chamber of Commerce discouraged by Court of Appeal Decision on Trans MountainVancouver, August 30, 2018 – Though it will take time to review the Federal Court of Appeal’s decision today, the BC Chamber is extremely disappointed that the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project is now in legal limbo.

"The message we just sent to investors is that it's nearly impossible to get resource projects done in Canada, despite following a robust federal regulatory process," said Val Litwin, President and CEO, BC Chamber of Commerce." Adds Perrin Beatty, President & CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce: “Today’s decision delivers a serious blow to the Indigenous communities that are counting on this project to create jobs and economic prosperity and to Canada’s economy as a whole."

Following a 29-month review, the National Energy Board concluded, on May 29, 2016, that the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion is in the Canadian interest and recommended the project's approval. This process was rightfully rigorous and involved a record 404 intervenors and more than 1,200 commentators.

"How much consultation is reasonable for the approval of resource projects? This opens up the floodgates to have a never-ending consultation process where the goal posts are ever-changing,” said Litwin.

The Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project is critical to the Canadian economy because of its ability to transform Canadian oil producers from price takers to price makers in international markets. The $7.4 billion project is key to unlocking that wealth and is now unfortunately caught up in legal limbo which will damage BC and Canada's brand as a worthy place to invest.

BC Chamber of Commerce data shows the BC business community supports the Kinder Morgan expansion project by a factor of two to one.

-30-About the BC Chamber

The BC Chamber is the province’s largest and most broadly-based business organization driving insights to its partners, government and Chamber network. With 36,000 members hailing from every nook and cranny of the province, the BC Chamber knows what’s on BC’s mind.